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It's hot as balls in New York City. (I can say "hot," right?) It's humid, sticky, muggy and all sorts of other adjectives to describe the kind of heat wave that has me sweating bullets in the time it takes me to walk from my front stoop to the 7-Eleven on the corner, which can't be more than 500 feet away. Oh, and as I write this, it's also currently raining, because it's not enough for my hair to deal with humidity; it's gotta battle moisture, too.

When it's this hot out, there's no point in leaving the comfort of my air-conditioned bedroom -- and if I am forced to leave my air-conditioned bedroom, then there's really no point in putting effort into my appearance because I'm going to look like a wilted piece of lettuce the second I step outside.

All this talk about the heat wave got me thinking about the four elements -- earth, wind, fire and water -- and, more specifically, the songs that these phases of matter have inspired. To get closer to nature, check out songs by Bright Eyes, Jawbreaker, The Carpenters and Tegan And Sara.

Finally, learn more about me and all my musings by visiting my website and following me on Twitter (@redpatterndress).

1.) Bright Eyes' "Four Winds": If I could only listen to one band for the rest of my life, I'd probably choose Bright Eyes -- and/or any of the musical offshoots from prolific frontman Conor Oberst. "Four Winds" is a rambling, old-fashioned, folk-infused protest song, representative of the alt-country twang on 2007's Cassadaga. Conor's voice is mesmerizing, as always, and the song has such a timeless feel, it's hard to believe it's less than five years old.

Listen to "Four Winds"

2.) Jawbreaker's "Fireman": I'll probably lose major cred points by admitting this, but I didn't really get into Jawbreaker until my mid-20s, and the first album I heard was Dear You. I immediately fell in love and thought to myself, "If all their records sound like this, I NEED to get their entire catalog STAT!" Unfortunately, all of their records didn't sound like Dear You, and now they sit gathering dust in my closet. Many critics consider the band's major-label debut a flop, and the LP created so much tension within the band that infighting caused Jawbreaker to call it quits two years later. I still kick myself for never being able to see the band play live, but I still hold on to hope that the guys can bury the hatchet and reunite before I die. Hey, if Axl Rose can finish Chinese Democracy, anything's possible, right?

3.) The Carpenters' "Rainy Days And Mondays": I'm not usually a fan of '70s AM rock, but this lovelorn classic gets me every time. What can I say? I'm a sucker for a good -- yet completely unnecessary -- saxophone solo (i.e. Lady Gaga's "The Edge Of Glory"). Then again, who isn't?

Listen to "Rainy Days And Mondays"

4.) Tegan And Sara's "Soil, Soil": Clocking in at only 1:23 minutes, "Soil, Soil" sounds more like an interlude than a full song, but that's part of what makes it so beautiful. Tegan And Sara's album, The Con, is filled with unrequited love songs, and this one is definitely at the top of the heartbroken heap. Example lyrics include: "All you need to say to me/Is call (call)/And I'll be curled on the floor/Hiding out from it all/And I won't take any other call." For anyone who's ever waited by the phone and wanted to dig a hole and hide until it rang, this song is for you.

Listen to "Soil, Soil"

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Tags Bright Eyes, Jawbreaker, Lady Gaga, Soundtrack Of My Life, Tegan And Sara, The Carpenters

After much anxious waiting and wondering if their favorite band was ever going to return after 2007's gorgeous Cassadaga, Bright Eyes fans have finally been relieved of their epic anticipation. Released this past February (on frontman Conor Oberst's birthday, Feb. 15, to be exact, don't ask me how I know that), The People's Key represents a shift away from the folksy Americana that has occupied Oberst's attention for the last few years (during which he recorded mainly as Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band), and back toward his noisy, emotional roots. "We very much wanted it to be rocking, and, for lack of a better term, contemporary or modern," Oberst told NME of the album back in December. He wasn't lying!

"Jejune" means dull or uninspired, but the "Jejune Stars" video, directed by Lance Acord, is anything but. It begins with a big bang as fiery, old-fashioned wire signs highlight single words and phrases such as "passage of time" and "kissed." Brooding is back! And I'm happy to report that Conor is looking quite heartthrobby once again, having ditched his weird long hair (sorry) and returned to his classic, slanty, emo cut. (I LIVE for that hair.) Simultaneously a hard-edged pop song and a sublimely catchy rock track, the song recalls "Light Pollution" from Bright Eyes' seminal 2005 album Digital Ash In A Digital Urn in all the best possible ways. Nobody can sell a weird, introspective lyric like "the wheel of becoming erases the physical mind" like Conor can. But enough effusive praise! Watch the video for "Jejune Stars" below and marvel at Bright Eyes' continued poetic justice.

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Tags Bright Eyes, video

Hi everyone! I've got some great picks this week, including what may be the greatest kitteh LOL of all time!

1.) NPR has Bright Eyes' new album, The People's Key, available for a full listen. It sounds like all the best songs on Lifted.... I'll just wait here a sec while you eat your emo heart out. (NPR)

2.) Nelly Furtado (who I always want to call "Nelly Fur-TAY-toe" 'cause I think it'd be funny) and Sir Elton John teamed up for a kind-of-weird, kind-of-catchy update of Elton's song "Crocodile Rock," which is featured on the Gnomeo & Juliet soundtrack. (Idolator)

3.) MTV Posted artist Linkin Park are going to be performing on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend, alongside blast from the past Dana Carvey. I wonder if Chester Bennington will play Wayne. (NBC)

4.) I'm on kind of an indie-rock kick right now, so I highly recommend the new Fleet Foxes album Helplessness Blues, the title track of which you can hear para gratis at Pitchfork.

5.) Lonely? Looking for love? Have a taste for the ginger? The gang over at "Conan" is hosting the "VD Explosion" Contest, where the grand prize is a Valentine's Day date on the set of the show. To enter, post a compelling video response to Cocan's contest announcement.  (Team Coco)

6.) Remember Jason Earles, the actor who played Hannah Montana's brother, aka Jackson Stewart? How old do you think that guy is? Like 21, 22 right? WRONG! Dude is in his 30s. Also, he's a trained "equestrian rider," whatever that means! (IMDb)

7.) First there was Ted Williams, the homeless guy with the golden radio voice. Now there is the Brazilian cab driver with the pitch-perfect Michael Jackson impression. (Urlesque)

8.) In 1994, Bryant Gumbel could not begin to comprehend what the internet is. Seriously, it made his brain almost explode. Katie Couric was no help, either. Equally mind-scrambling, the "@" sign. (CollegeHumor)

9.) Did you know most house plants receive better care than house cats? And also, did you know that you should shout at your cat for about five seconds? Yes, it's true. Find out more facts about cats at Buzzfeed.

10.) When dancing to Whitney Houston's 1985 smash hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," it's best to have something prepared, something interpretative. This guy has it taken care of. (The Frisky)

Tags 10 Things To Know Now, Bright Eyes, Bryant Gumble, Chester Bennington, conan o'brien, Conor Oberst, Elton John, Fleet Foxes, Hannah Montana, Jason Earles, Katie Couric, linkin park, LOL, Michael Jackson, Nelly Furtado, Whitney Houston

+ Emo kids, get out your eyeliner and prepare for a reapplication: Conor Oberst just announced that Bright Eyes will release its final album next year. Perma sad face. :< (Pitchfork)

+ I wonder if some days Lady Gaga just wants to put on a pair of sweatpants that say "PINK" on the ass, and like, a ratty t-shirt and walk to the store on the corner to buy a Nesquik and a Cowtail. I mean, sure -- she's not in a unitard or a crazy dress, but is this her idea of comfy/casual? Um, and check out the headline on her crotch. Stay classssssay, Gags! (Seriously? OMG! WTF?)

+ Nas was just ordered to pay almost $44,000 a month in child support to Kelis for the baby she had on Tuesday. Who wants to go to Discovery Zone??? Nas' treat!!! (Star Magazine)

+ In the wake of the Beastie Boys' sad announcement about Adam Yauch's cancer diagnosis, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's have stepped up to take their place at Lollapalooza. (The Tripwire)

+ And in a unifying show of solidarity, none other than Jay-Z is subbing out for the Beasties at All Points West. (The Tripwire)

+ Also, on the Jay-Z tip, weird or WOW that MGMT will be contributing to his next album? Boys better be gettin' paaaaaaaaid. (Reuters)

Tags Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst, Jay-Z, Kelis, Lady Gaga, MGMT, Nas, The Beastie Boys

At this point, the conflict in Darfur and the resulting humanitarian crisis are more than six years old. It is common knowledge in conscientious circles, that hundreds of thousands have died and millions have been displaced by the horrors -- and I do mean horrors -- of the Sudanese army's systematic decimation of the region's native people. But, after six years of activism, it is easy for our outrage to cool off and devolve into uneasy acceptance. Well, Waxploitation -- the L.A. management company that handles Gnarls Barkley, Black Moth Super Rainbow and Danger Mouse -- just ain't havin' that.

On the verge of releasing his second Causes record to raise money for relief in Darfur, Waxploitation founder Jeff Antebi had this to say about the project:

"It's easy for fatigue to set in when a crisis goes on for a number of years, but no one has given up hope that things can change for the better in Darfur. There are untold numbers of people committed to changing the outcome. It takes humanitarian assistance, tenacity and political will."

And, of course, it takes money. A whole lotta spending money. And, while 15 indie gems clearly aren't going to fund a revolution, Causes 2 does provide everyday people like us with an easy means of contributing to the betterment of the world.

The compilation -- whose profits go entirely to Doctors Without Borders, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam America -- includes rare tracks, remixes and live cuts from Devendra Banhart, Diplo, My Morning Jacket, RJD2, LCD Soundsystem, Gnarls Barkley, The Decemberists, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and many others.

The compilation doesn't hit shelves until May 5, but you can listen to Causes 2 right now, for free, only on The Leak. Get hooked here, then shell out $9.99 for the good of humanity in May.

+ If you pre-order Causes 2 now, Waxploitation will throw in Causes 1 -- including tracks from Animal Collective, Bright Eyes and The Shins -- for only $6.99!

Tags Animal Collective, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Bright Eyes, Danger Mouse, Devendra Banhart, Diplo, Gnarls Barkley, LCD Soundsystem, My Morning Jacket, RJD2, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, The Decemberists, The Shins

I don't wanna shatter any illusions here, but if you're looking to a professional blogger for advice on anything romantic, you have some serious thinking to do. That's why I'm handing this Valentine's Day post off to a pro. John Vesely, aka Secondhand Serenade has more magnetism in one frosted tip than the whole rest of the Internet combined. Can the Internet play piano and sing with its eyes closed? No. It doesn't even have feelings (or eyes). All it can do is make a heart out of a bracket and a three. Weak. John Vesely was born to tell you he loves you. Stick with him. Here's a special Valentine's Day message and a crazy romantic love-playlist from the man himself:

I've always been a lover, not a fighter which is why I love this time of year. And one of my true loves is obviously music. So to come up with a list of long songs/videos is no problem for a guy like me. It's the time of year where you hear songs you may have heard 100 times before, but you suddenly realize they have a special meaning or remind you of someone close to your heart. So hopefully you can take a look at the videos I decided to go with, and let it remind you of whoever may be that certain someone for you.

+ Jason Mraz, "I'm Yours" - A simple song and a simple video. Both are undeniable.
+ The Fray, "You Found Me" - The video showcases both a great band and a beautiful city.
+ Thriving Ivory, "Angels on the Moon" - These guys are good friends of mine. They went all out on this video.
+ Plain White T’s, "Hey There Deliah" - One of the biggest songs and best videos of a few years back.
+ Katy Perry, "Thinking of You" - I love her retro style, which is overly evident in this video.
+ Kanye West, "Love Lockdown" - Kanye is always evolving and this is a colorful, left-of-center display of his art.
+ Justin Nozuka, "After Tonight" - He's a great new young talent, which is clear as day in this, his first video.
+ R. Kelly, "Real Talk" - Because the video is just as real as the song.
+ We The Kings, "Secret Valentine" - Travis's hair turns me on.
+ Augustana, "Sweet and Low" - I love how the song was written it was written very personally.

Wow ... Thanks, John!!

Want more Valentine's Day playlists? OK. I got those, too. Do you love me yet? Please...?

+ V-Day Playlist: Let Me Count The Ways (Dashboard, Bright Eyes, Beyonce, etc)
+ V-Day Playlist: Love SUCKS (Alanis, Ashanti, Incubus, etc)
+ V-Day Playlist: Celebrity Wedding Songs (Lonestar, Marvin Gaye, Edwin McCain, etc)

<3<3<3

Read more...

Tags Alanis Morissette, Ashanti, Augustana, Beyonce, Bright Eyes, Dashboard Confessional, Edwin McCain, Incubus, Jason Mraz, Justin Nozuka, Katy Perry, Lonestar, Marvin Gaye, Plain White T's, R.-Kelly, Secondhand Serenade, The Fray, Thriving Ivory, We the Kings

Man, I been begging to do a post on Animal Collective here for ages but the powers that be keep telling me "No, our audience isn't ready for that far out noise rock." That being said, there is no denying that every time I see Animal Collective, the crowd gets younger. And I can't think of a better testament to their greatness!

What other band has started out at the obscurest end of the art rock spectrum and come all the way into the mainstream spotlight without substantially sacrificing fans or cred? Death Cab? Nope. Bright Eyes? Eh, sorta... Modest Mouse? Definitely not. Even if they had, none of those bands was ever quite as adventurous as Animal Collective.

Since the recent release of their eighth (EIGHTH!) studio album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, the din of mainstream Animal Collective praise has developed into a full-on roar. People are plain-old losing it for Animal Collective, ranking it among Kid A, Pet Sounds and Revolver as one of the best albums ever. And it's not just the critics who are flipping. My little brother tells me that his whole school (Nicolet High School in Milwaukee, WI) is mental for Merriweather, too. "Everybody's Facebook status is Merriweather Post Pavilion," he tells me. It's a full-on phenomenon.

BUT! Are we ready for an Animal Collective invasion? Is there room for them in the buzz bin among Miley and the Jonases? Is there room at the Tokio Hotel (ugh, sorry)? Well how about you just watch the video for "My Girls" and get back to me on that? Deal?

Tags Animal Collective, Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie, Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Modest Mouse, Radiohead, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Tokio Hotel

Christopher Browder is a dude from Louisville, Kentucky. He's a fan of LOST, quesadillas, and George Bush (with a mustache). He plays too much Wii and drinks too much Diet Coke. Christopher Browder is also Mansions, a one-man emotional rollercoaster (a la Bright Eyes) who sounds a lot like early Death Cab For Cutie. If the photo on Browder's purevolume profile is any indication -- he spends a lot of time being overwhelmed by the feelings he sings about. That bodes well for the music, because you can tell he means every word.

Mansions' debut album drops March 3 on Doghouse Records, home of Jet Lag Gemini, Army Of Me and The Honorary Title, and original signer of The Get Up Kids, Say Anything and All-American Rejects. Not too shabby, right? If you can't wait until March, and you happen to be lucky enough to live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, you can catch Browder with buddies standing in on bass and drums at The Werehouse February 6. Otherwise, listen to Mansions, and get ready for a major arrival!

Tags All-American-Rejects, Army-of-Me, Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie, Jet Lag Gemini, Mansions, Say Anything, The All-American Rejects, The Buzz On, The Honorary Title, the-get-up-kids